"He always comes across well, but he stays at a general level," said Rik Klein, CPA, on the governor's speech. "It wasn't going to get people to change parties, but it was a feel-good thing. If I have to live with a Democrat, he's as good as one can get." Klein estimated the small business crowd was at least three-fourths Republican. Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and his wife served as Peace Corps Volunteers in Tunisia in the 1960's.

Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle tiptoed around controversial subjects and stuck to the fundamentals in addressing a largely Republican business group Thursday morning.

The Appleton Northside Business Association invited Doyle to speak at its annual meeting, and he obliged on a swing through Appleton that would also take him to Wilson Middle School and Lawrence University.

The breakfast gathering drew 85 association members, primarily small business owners, and elected officials. It recognized two businesses, Kray's Service and Wilmar Chocolates, with Image Awards given for building renovations.

Doyle, who is running for re-election Nov. 7, gave a 24-minute talk on improving the business climate in the state.

"How do we create an economy that's growing and expanding and creating good jobs?" he asked. His answer was to boost the state's infrastructure with more electric plants and improved roads. The state must continue to provide funding to keep its school system strong.

He said his administration has worked to change the regulatory and tax climate, including tax cuts for businesses that create jobs and purchase energy. In regulations, permits that previously took two years "now take 30 to 60 days," he said.

He skirted a question on a statewide smoking ban, noting only that he'd consider it "if it advances public health."

Audience members said Doyle stuck to safe topics.

"He always comes across well, but he stays at a general level," said Rik Klein, CPA, on the governor's speech. "It wasn't going to get people to change parties, but it was a feel-good thing. If I have to live with a Democrat, he's as good as one can get." Klein estimated the small business crowd was at least three-fourths Republican.

"I though it was very vanilla," said Pete Smith, owner of The Sportsman. "He talked to us without ruffling feathers. Who's going to say, 'No we don't want to educate our kids?'"

Tammy Miller Schultz, president of Virtualtech, characterized Doyle's speech as non-controversial but uplifting. "It was definitely positive for business and education."

Association president Jeff Nooyen, of Nooyen Photography, had hoped the governor would talk about small business insurance pools before he was whisked out to his next speech, but time ran out. "That would have been valuable to our members. Health insurance premiums have skyrocketed. It's our biggest expense. More than rent."

Maureen Wallenfang can be reached at 920-993-1000, ext. 287, or by e-mail at mwallenfang@postcrescent.com.

When this story was posted in July 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Jody Olsen is acting Peace Corps DirectorThe Senate confirmed Gaddi Vasquez to head the FAO on June 30. Jody Olsen will be acting Director until the President makes a permanent appointment. Olsen has been Deputy Director of the Peace Corps since 2002. She has previously served as Chief of Staff for two directors, as regional director for North Africa, Near East, and Asia and the Pacific, and as country director in Togo. She served in Tunisia as a PCV.

Changing the Face of HungerIn his new book, Former Congressman Tony Hall (RPCV Thailand) says humanitarian aid is the most potent weapon the United States can deploy against terrorism. An evangelical Christian, he is a big believer in faith-based organizations in the fight against hunger. Members of Congress have recently recommended that Hall be appointed special envoy to Sudan to focus on ending the genocide in Darfur.

PC will not return to East Timor in 2006Volunteers serving in East Timor have safely left the country as a result of the recent civil unrest and government instability. Latest: The Peace Corps has informed us that at this time, the Peace Corps has no plans to re-enter the country in 2006. The Peace Corps recently sent a letter offering eligible volunteers the opportunity to reinstate their service in another country.

Chris Dodd considers run for the White HouseSenator Chris Dodd plans to spend the next six to eight months raising money and reaching out to Democrats around the country to gauge his viability as a candidate. Just how far Dodd can go depends largely on his ability to reach Democrats looking for an alternative to Hillary Clinton. PCOL Comment: Dodd served as a Volunteer in the Dominican Republic and has been one of the strongest supporters of the Peace Corps in Congress.

Vasquez testifies before Senate CommitteeDirector Vasquez testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on his nomination as the new Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture replacing Tony Hall. He has been the third longest serving Peace Corps Director after Loret Ruppe Miller and Sargent Shriver. PCOL Comment: Read our thanks to Director Vasquez for his service to the Peace Corps.

Interview with a Hit ManRPCV John Perkins says that for many years he was an "economic hit man" in the world of international finance whose primary job was to convince less developed countries to accept multibillion dollar loans for infrastructure projects that left the recipient countries wallowing in debt and highly vulnerable to outside political and commercial interests. In this exclusive interview for "Peace Corps Online," Colombia RPCV Joanne Roll, author of Remember with Honor, talks to Perkins about his Peace Corps service, his relation with the NSA, "colonization" in Ecuador, the consequences of his work, why he decided to speak out, and what his hopes are for change.

Peace Corps stonewalls on FOIA requestThe Ashland Daily Tidings reports that Peace Corps has blocked their request for information on the Volkart case. "After the Tidings requested information pertaining to why Volkart was denied the position — on March 2 — the newspaper received a letter from the Peace Corps FOIA officer stating the requested information was protected under an exemption of the act." The Dayton Daily News had similar problems with FOIA requests for their award winning series on Volunteer Safety and Security.

PCOL readership increases 100%Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

History of the Peace CorpsPCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help.

RPCV admits to abuse while in Peace CorpsTimothy Ronald Obert has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor in Costa Rica while serving there as a Peace Corps volunteer. "The Peace Corps has a zero tolerance policy for misconduct that violates the law or standards of conduct established by the Peace Corps," said Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. Could inadequate screening have been partly to blame? Mr. Obert's resume, which he had submitted to the Peace Corps in support of his application to become a Peace Corps Volunteer, showed that he had repeatedly sought and obtained positions working with underprivileged children. Read what RPCVs have to say about this case.

Why blurring the lines puts PCVs in dangerWhen the National Call to Service legislation was amended to include Peace Corps in December of 2002, this country had not yet invaded Iraq and was not in prolonged military engagement in the Middle East, as it is now. Read the story of how one volunteer spent three years in captivity from 1976 to 1980 as the hostage of a insurrection group in Colombia in Joanne Marie Roll's op-ed on why this legislation may put soldier/PCVs in the same kind of danger. Latest: Read the ongoing dialog on the subject.

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Story Source: Oshkosh Northwestern

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - Tunisia; Politics; State Government

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